Goldman Re-enters Mayoral Race In Bid To Unseat Keating

HOLLYWOOD — City Commissioner Stanley Goldman re-entered the mayor`s race last week, becoming the third challenger trying to unseat incumbent David Keating in this spring`s election.

Goldman, 68, had withdrawn from the race in September when it seemed that former Broward County Sheriff Bob Butterworth would seek the post.

Now that Butterworth has decided not to run, Goldman said, he is prepared to challenge Keating.

``Beside myself, I don`t think there is any candidate who can beat Keating -- or should beat Keating,`` said Goldman, an eight-year veteran of the City Commission. ``Being mayor of the city is not an on-the-job-training position.``

Both Guilianti and Molinari said holding public office is not necessary to be an effective mayor, and both criticized Goldman for re-entering the race.

``Unquestionably, what he is doing is helping the mayor (get re-elected),`` Guilianti said. ``His candidacy will dilute the anti-Keating faction. It will be split among the challengers.``

Keating, 77, who is seeking his eighth term as mayor in the March 11 election, said Goldman`s candidacy will help divide his opponents` support and result in his re-election.

``I`ve got a record to match any public official`s, from the president on down, as far as doing good for my area,`` Keating said. ``Goldman`s a nice fellow, but he`s made a lot of bad votes.``

Goldman, a semi-retired lawyer who lives on South Beach, said his political, educational and legal background will help cure Hollywood`s ills.

He said he wants to help attract business and young families to the city, as well as spur redevelopment of downtown and Central Beach.

``I hope people begin to realize that unless they pick a candidate that can move Hollywood forward, everyone will lose,`` Goldman said. ``It`s the type of job that needs maturity more than youth.``

Both Guilianti and Molinari criticized Goldman as ``wishy-washy`` for entering the mayor`s race, withdrawing and then re-entering.

``I`m not happy and I`m not sad about his candidacy,`` Molinari said. ``It`s unfortunate that he can`t make a decision, but I`m in the race until the end.``

``I wonder how he is going to be the kind of leader for the future when he can`t even decide what race to enter,`` Guilianti said. ``Stanley represents the past as far as I`m concerned. I think he would be a disaster as mayor.``

Goldman scoffed at the criticism and said he is the only candidate capable of unseating Keating.

``I`m in the race for good,`` Goldman said. ``After the election, I`ll either be a very busy mayor or a very busy golfer.``